Anniversary Window

In progress

Finished project, entryway of new home:

Last month, this month, next month

Sometimes real life interferes with posting to this blog, and that's okay.  I've been focusing a bit more on posting projects to my LKP Design Facebook page and enjoying time with the hubby and family. 

I finished up some wedding invitations recently for a client, and enjoyed trying a different online printing company and local printer as well.  Next up: programs and potentially rehearsal dinner invitations for the same couple.

Also on my plate: two moving announcement postcards.  I love working on a design that is custom to each client's personality and taste.

In addition to paid freelance work, I am continuing to do work for our church Worship committee and a couple graphic/photography jobs through the church.

April is "National Card and Letterwriting Month" and I am working on a personal/LKP Design/Facebook/snail mail campaign.  

•  Every day I write a card or letter - and post a photo of my viewpoint.  
•  Every week I post photos of the actual stationery and details about the artist/company.  

This year I added the photos and am focusing more on the daily routine and less on giveaways.

Homemade Gift: 3 (2012)

Remember that one time in 2012 that I decided to give five homemade gifts to Facebook friends?  Yeah, me neither.  Okay, I kid.  I actually did get this project done in December and gave it to the recipient within the correct time frame.

Jessica is a pretty crafty person, so I had to think of something she wouldn't just make for herself.  I found the tutorial for these blocks on Shanty 2 Chic.  This blog showcases very inexpensive projects- but usually involves tools (simple as they may be) that I don't have.  Luckily this one involved steps I could take without having to purchase anything huge.

 

 What I purchased at Home Depot: wood (employee cut it down for me), sanding block, primer, paint (samples that were marked down), foam brushes, upholstery tacks

What I had: cloth, felt for flower backing, fabric glue, handmade paper

I took the photographs at a family birthday party and printed them on handmade paper from porridge papers.  The paper soaked up the ink pretty well, but I love the textures in it, as it adds to the worn feel of the blocks.  Instead of painting the letters, I ran the cloth through the inkjet printer.  Meaning- Ben helped me tape the cloth to light cardboard and mess with the computer and printer until it ran through correctly.

Thank you, Shanty Sisters!!

El Zorro

It really caught me by surprise.  I was catching up on reading some favorite blogs, and found this Animal Love: Fox post on Design Sponge.   The next thing I knew, I was entranced.  The first item that did it for me was the scarf.  Never mind that it was $85 (yes, was!  I just saw it finally went on sale- but is not available anymore.  Boo!).  Never mind that some of the other items were less than appealing.  My obsession with foxes began.

This is definitely something I wanted to keep quiet at first, for fear I might start receiving any and all fox items.  I honestly don't know how long this little obsession will last, but for now I am content with the two items I do have:

I absolutely could not resist buying this calendar set as a present to myself (Christmas money!).  I love the appropriate monthly illustrations and text.  The 4x6 card is on a magnet board right above the right compy so I can see it anytime from my seat.

 I found this little treat at Gingiber's Shop on Etsy.

Amanda gave me this towel for Christmas - and I literally shrieked when I opened it.  The copper color, the simple yet whimsical shape, the fact that I can hang it in my kitchen and see it all the time; I appreciate everything about it!  

Amanda purchased it at faces are funny on etsy.com.

Not going away anytime soon (Part II)

Ahhhh these patterns make me so happy!  I love that there are designs and colors that aren't too "girly" depending how you pair them- so I was able to use the decorative tape for both guys and gals.

These tapes were perfect for labeling gifts that were mailed this last Christmas, replacing tags/ribbons/bows that could be smashed or separated.  On the green cards above, the recipients peeled back the tape to reveal the gift certificates behind the white paper.

Not going away anytime soon (Part I)

Yes, I am still obsessed with washi and decorative tapes.  Here are a few of my favorites for Christmas, since most of them I just acquired lately.  Shoutout to my Twin for giving me the black and white polka dot tape from Target!

 Adding a bit of dazzle to cookie exchange baggies; font: Bebas Neue

This is also a good time to rave about two other current obsessions: porridge papers and OliveBox.  I have mentioned the former before here, but OliveBox is a bit newer.  OliveBox is a monthly subscription for paper lovers...I could describe it, but it would be best to visit the website and read about it for yourself.  And I'll be posting about it in the future, I'm sure.

For the sister-in-law (and maybe myself too)

Let's continue with homemade projects inspired by other blogs:

Source of inspiration: Pugly Pixel Glitter Magnets

I basically followed the same steps, but I finished with a clear nail polish coating to keep the glitter from getting everywhere.  Well, everywhere but the table I was working on...

I actually found most of the supplies (magnets, larger clip magnets, glitter) on a convenient stop at Wal-Mart on our way back into town the weekend before Christmas.  I already had good ol' Aleene's Original Tacky Glue and cupcake liners on hand.

2013 Kickoff, homemade gifts & Pinterest rant

Happy New Year!  I took some time this afternoon to upload some photos from over the last month or so.  I now have a gold mine of posts for the rest of January.  And you thought I had given up on this blog...

I have such an extensive RSS feed now- so I don't get the chance to keep up on all of them.  One that I consistently check on is Knock Off Decor.  When I found this inspiration, I immediately Pinned it.  I like that Pinterest now has "secret boards," because I can easily save gift ideas for later.  In fact, these boards are the only way I utilize the site. 

Side Rant: I get easily annoyed when people rave about Pinterest for the wrong reasons.  I think the site is a great place to search for ideas, but  I don't like it when people give the site credit for recipes, crafts, outfits, etc.  Pinterest did not create these ideas- bakers, cooks, artists, designers, etc. are the people who should receive credit!  End rant.  Whew.

Knock Off Decor featured Sheet Music Candles that Gail from "Can't Stop Making Things" created.  The tutorial can be found here.

 I found the shorter candle at Garden Ridge in Omaha and the multi-colored one at TJ Maxx.

I read through the tutorial and it seemed easy enough.  Can I just tell you that I had a heck of a time feeding the tissue paper through my printer?  But after struggling through that part- I used a heat embossing tool to melt the tissue paper in no time and I was absolutely thrilled with the results!

Since I do enjoy shopping and it's so easy to purchase unique gifts anymore via Etsy and other places, it was a bit of a personal triumph to make something homemade and purposeful.  I am going to make it a point in 2013 to make more handmade gifts.